Description_x000D_ General description_x000D_ Sphingomyelinase (SMase), or sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase, catalyzes the hydrolytic cleavage of sphingolipid to phosphocholine and ceramide, a second messenger involved in multiple cellular responses including the cellular response to stress. There are at least five types of SMases identified, which are classified according to their cation dependence, cellular location, and pH optima for activity, and include the acidic and neutral sphingomyelinase. Neutral SMases, along with the acidic SMases, are thought to be major contributors to the production of ceramide in response to cellular stress. Mutations in is associated with metabolic disorders like Niemann-Pick disease B._x000D_ Suitability_x000D_ This kit is suitable for the detection of sphingomyelin in a variety of samples such as blood and cell extracts._x000D_ Principle_x000D_ The Sphingomyelinase Assay Kit provides a simple and direct procedure for measuring neutral SMase activity in a variety of samples such as blood or cell extracts, or for screening SMase activators and inhibitors. SMase activity is determined by a coupled enzyme assay, which results in a fluorescent product (λex =540/λem = 590 nm) proportional to the SMase activity present.